Blazing a new trail in Catalina

A butterfly perches gingerly on a cactus along the trail, which climbs, dips and winds through backcountry largely unknown to the public and essentially unchanged since Tongva Indians roamed the island.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

A buffalo grazes near the hiking trail, which is estimated to take about two to four days to complete in its entirety.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

A delicate flower blooms amid cactus spines on the trail, which runs above Little Harbor campground.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Two hikers make their way along the Trans-Catalina trail. Most of the island’s tourists have never set foot on the unpaved, 42,000-acre interior.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Trail coordinator Ryan walks about 600 feet above the ocean. “In a place like this, it’s hard to complain about coming to work every day,” he said with a smile.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

A sign marks the Trans-Catalina Island Trail, built to show off Catalina’s dramatic changes in elevation, which make for a surprising variety of ecosystems and landscapes: muscular peaks, scalloped beaches, lush ravines and grasslands enlivened by an array of spring flowers.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)